Like magic, Plotagraph Pro software creates animation from a single photo

Cinemagraphs are highly engaging – and highly time-intensive. But a new program developed by a professional photographer and an artist could just change that, turning a single image into an animated GIF in anywhere from five to 30 minutes.

Traditional cinemagraphs are created from videos, but Plotagraph Pro can achieve a similar effect with only a single image, eliminating the cost (or time investment, for DIYers) of a video shoot, as well as allowing existing images – and even historical shots – to become animated.

The web-based desktop program allows users to mask out a stationary object, then add animation points. By moving those points, the user tells the program how those areas should move in the final file. That gives the software the ability to customize the motion, unlike a traditional cinemagraph that simply copies the movement within a video. Plotagraph Pro could be used to animate things that are stationary (like a bowl of soup), create movement in the opposite direction, or simply create cinemagraphs from objects that are difficult to capture in a few second video because they’re moving too fast (or too slow).

Troy Plota, co-founder and CEO, said the program has already been put to use for several large companies, including Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Airbnb. “Dynamic content is very relevant right now,” he said.

In a demonstration for Digital Trends, Plota created a surfing cinemagraph in just a few minutes. The platform’s masking tool is fairly intelligent – for example, drawing a line on the surfer’s arm selected almost the entire limb. A paintbrush allows the user to fine-tune the mask selection (like selecting the surfer’s fingers or deselecting any background areas that were picked up). Feather settings also help make the masking process simpler.

Users can select multiple animation points at once for a uniform movement or adjust them individually. A layers view depicts the animation in triangles while a track preview shows the animation while still in the editing mode.

While the terms and a few tools will be familiar to Photoshop users, the software appears to be fairly simple and intuitive enough to learn quickly. Once the animation work is finished, users can choose the frame rate, duration and blend mode. Plotagraphs can be exported in GIF, MP4, or MOV formats, with the ability to adjust the file size and final dimensions.

Plota said he was adding animation to his images for years before he figured out a few algorithms that would make the process simpler. Plota’s portfolio includes shots for several big names, including shooting the Donald Trump clothing line and an underwater shoot with Heidi Klum for Germany’s Next Top Model. While Plotagraph Pro is his first software, he also has several patents for 3D photogrammetry.

Credit: Troy Plota

The co-founder, Sascha Scheider, is a painter with a background in fine arts. Coming from a family with an acting background (her grandfather is the actor Roy Scheider, who played police chief Martin Brody in Jaws), she will be heading up tutorial videos for Plotagraph Pro.

The developers are close to introducing a pre-release beta download to a limited number of subscribers, with a full version to follow after the testing. The company is also discussing a stock option for users within an existing rights-managed platform.

Save yourself from hours wasted scrolling through Netflix's massive library by checking out our picks for the streamer's best movies available right now, whether you're into explosive action, witty humor, or anything else.

While we still may be months away from an announcement, there's no doubt about it: Samsung is working hard on its successor to the Galaxy S9. Here's everything we know about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10.

What's the difference between a National Park and a National Forest? Drones. With no ban on drones in National Forests -- at least, not yet -- filmmakers have a way to capture the immensity of these locations with stunning results.

Ever get that nagging feeling you're spending too much time on Instagram? Well, a new "activity dashboard" has a bunch of features designed to help you better control how you use the addictive photo-sharing app.

Where's the best spot to take fall photos? Michigan, according to social media and a Nikon contest. The results and more in this week's photography news, including significant firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-T3, X-H1, and GFX 50S.

You’ve scored yourself a new Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, and you want to take advantage of that incredible camera. We’ve got everything you need to know right here about how to snap the best photos with your Pixel 3.

DJI's Mavic 2 series drones are ready to fly -- but which one is right for you? The Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom are nearly identical save for their cameras. Here's what you need to know about these powerful new UAVs.

On paper, the Airselfie 2 is marketed as flying photographer that fits in your pocket and snaps selfies from the sky. Unfortunately it’s more like a HandiCam controlled by a swarm of intoxicated bumblebees